Paint funnel-scraper



July 19, 1938. J, AKERS 2,124,021

PAINT `FUNNEL SCRAPER Filed Aug. l0, 1956 J'. L EE HKERS. v

Patented `uly 19, 1938 UNiTi-:D STATES PATENT volfrlcis:

3 Claims.

This invention refers to paint brushes and more particularly to a device app-licable to a paint container for the purposes of scraping paint olf brushes and diverting same back to the container. It has among its objects to provide a device vof this nature that will scrape off paint -on the sides and edges of a paint brush and divert; same towards a central location of the device; also to have the device arranged whereby it may be used as a funnel; and where used `as a funnel to cooperate with the construction of the container and hold itself securely thereon. Another object is to provide a construction that will enable the device to be used under the practical conditions arising under usual circumstances. A further object is to have the funnel arrangement such that it will iiow the dripping paint or liquid directly into the central part of the container, to be saved, rather than run down the outside walls of the -same to be wasted. A still further object is to have the device such that it may be snapped on, into place, and secure itself resiliently into position on the container and become as tight thereon as its cover would be, as well as to prevent the top of the container becoming vitiated by sufficient paint to prevent v the cover going back on properly. The device in general, also serves to keep the container clean on the outside and top where the cover goes on. It also has the particular feature of enabling the paint, even in a full can to be stirred until properly mixed, without spilling. Even if the paint runs up into the funnel scraper, it will .not leak through the connection joint to the outside of the can. It avoids the practice of having to half empty a new full can of paint to mix it.

Various methods have been used for cleaning oi brushes so the paint will drain back off the scraper, but such usually permits the paint to drip down and gather on the outside wall of the container, and spoil surfaces on which the containers are resting. In this invention the device is made after the form of funnel with its restricted central portion bent or formed to fit into the cover groove of the conventional form` of container at the mouth portion where the cover is engaged and locked, when closed on same. In order to have an arrangement for cleaning brushes on all sides and withoutqrequiring the use of the top rim for the purpose, the device is provided with embossings that project out sufficiently to permit them to scrape and carry excess paint off the brush when the same is drawn against them. The upper rim portion of the device is rounded and wired to stiien and strengthen it. When sufficient paint has been removed from the container, the funnel scraper is lifted off and the cover put on in its place, leaving the paint can in a clean condition ready to be used again.

In the construction shown in the drawing, by

way of I exampler- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a funnel-scraper embodying this invention, with a portion partly in section, as shown, attached to a container,

Figu're 21s a plan view of the funnel-scraper by itself, and

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the funnelscraper of Figure 2.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the drawing.

In the drawing, I represents a conventional Aform of tin can container for paints with its upper cover holding groove portion or top ring 2 indented at 3- to receive the snap-on cover within the area of the top adjacent to the periphn ery of the container. A funnel-shaped member 4 having its upper and wider portion 5 rolled and wired, preferably as indicated, serves as the mouth of the funnel scraper. Its lower and restricted portion 6 is provided with bent back U-shaped rim 1 designed to t in closely in the indentation or cover groove 3 of the container and position the funnel scraper rigidly above and over the container as shown. A flat lip flange 8 extends radially from the bent back U-shaped rim 1 to stiien the same and also cover the upper portion of the can top peripherial rim, and close all opening to the said indentation or cover groove exteriorly. This flange is arranged however, to fit within the bead rim I0 of the can.

The funnel scraper is formed like a funnel in general appearance, with its walls II slanting towards the central portion of the can, and

tending to ow any paint falling on the interior` surface of the walls into the can. A series of scraper embossings extend along the surfaces in angular directions as indicated in the figures, and have their edges I3 and I4 bevelled off. The lower series of embossings extend over beyond the edges I4 of the upper series, in order to catch the paint dripping` down and make a single river from all embossings immediately above.

In the operation of the device, assuming that the funnel scraper is placed in position on a suitable container, the user, places the paint brush in the container and draws it out. As it passes through the funnel scraper, he rolls the brush, by brushing it spirally upwards, crossing the embossings and cleaning the excess paint oft the brush The excess paint is caught on the under side of the embossings and ows towards their lower bevelled end portions from where it drops downwardly to the bottom oriiice of the funnel scraper and passes into the container. The spacings between the embossings enable the paint to iow freely down'. The paint that cornes oif above the embossing is also caught on the embossings and flows' down same diagonally to the spacings, where it joins the other paint streams and iiows back into the container. Thei sides of the brush may be cleaned oil in a similar manner. 'Ihe funnel scraper over-laps the paint container and prevents the paint from falling on same, as it does when taken from a container without this device. I'he usualmethod of cleaning the paint onthe cover opening of the can'causes paint to fill up the indentation in which the .cover sets. When this cover is put on after being used without the funnel scraper, it becomes cemented in as the paint dries. It also causes the user to soil his hands or the surfaces on.which the container rests, because the cover will spill out" the extra paint in the indentation or cover groove.

The funnel scraper is readily removed at anytime, because the upper portion of the funnel provides ample grasping surface, as well as leverage. All the paint caught by the funnel returns to the inside of can, preventing the groove from lling with paint. When the funnel scraper has been removed, it leaves the cover groove completely clean and free from paint. In other Words,v it has removed from the use of the paint can, the usual conditions of spilled or dripping paint and a dirty container.

While the material used for the scraper is preferably metal, it can also be made of oiled paper, iiber, or similar substances that will be an advantage in general and may have features of economy or convenience. Also it is not desired to limit this application for patent to this particular form of construction, or in any other way otherwise than limited by the priorart, as it is appreciated that other forms using the same principles could be made that would come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In combination with a. conventionalpaint container having a peripherial groove formed in its `top ring for taking and holding a snap-onl cover, a paint funnel for mounting in the said groove and extending above the container having an upper widened-mouth portion with' converging walls to its lower orice portion provided with bent-.back U-shaped peripherial rim adapted to ilt into the said peripherial groove with a radially extending nat-lip flange positioned overx the top ring and close ingress to the groove, the said funnel being disposed with its walls and parts all exterior to the interior o! the container, the walls of said funnel being provided withV V-shaped scraper embossings angularly placed internally extending therefrom to hold a paint brush up from the' orifice portion and to direct scrapings of paint` downwardly towards the orice of the funnel.

2. In combinationl with a circular conventional paint container having a cover-receiving groove in its top ring, a snap-on paint funnel with frustrumatically formed walls with its upper mouth portion enlarged and spaced substantially above the container and its lower orifice portion disposed and held in the saidgroove, said lower ori, ce portion being restricted and having a bentback U-form ring adapted to fit tightly within* said groove and keep the inner surface oi the funnel wall outside and above the area of the central opening in said top ring, a at ring flange connected with the U-form ring and extending back over the top ring of the container, V-shaped projections extending arcuately above the wall, internal surfaces of the funnel in variable planes and spaced away from each other above and at the end portions to provide ridges to rest and spread the bristle portion of'a brush thereon and' to provide grooves extericrly in the wall of the funnel for facilitating handling thereof, substantially'as described.

` 3. In combination witha circular conventional paint container having a cover-receiving groove in its top ring, a snap-on paintfu'nnel with frustrumatically formed walls with its upper mouth portion enlarged and spaced substantially above the container and its lower orice portion disposed and held in the said groove, said Ilowei orifice portion being restricted to partially obstructthe passage oi paint brushes therethrough and having a bent-back U-form ring adapted toI t tightly Within said groove and keep the inner 45 vJILEEAKERS. 

